Name: Maia Tsalik
Class Year: 2026
Major:  Philosophy
Minor: Political Science
 
Internship Organization:  Berlin International University of Applied Sciences
Internship Title:   Research Assistant
Location:  Berlin, Germany
 
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

This summer I worked as a research assistant at Berlin International University of Applied Sciences! I worked with a professor there on his research about biopolitics, necropolitics, and migration theory. The research focus was to explore how migrants in Germany are impacted by health care and death care policies. To do this, we used biopolitics theories from various philosophers, political scientists, and anthropologists. My focus this summer was to help come up with a theoretical framework for the research, something that was heavily supported by my experience at Bryn Mawr taking philosophy and political science classes.
 
Why did you apply for this internship?  

I applied for this internship because I was hoping to get more experience doing philosophical research. I was also motivated to pursue an internship abroad after having such a good experience living internationally during my study abroad semester.
 
Was there anything special about how you found this internship? 

I found this internship through someone at the career center! I set up a meeting to get help finding a summer internship, and was connected with the IES Abroad Summer Internship Program! It ended up being fully supported by Bryn Mawr and a perfect opportunity.  

What has been your favorite part of this internship? 

Getting to read philosophy and political science papers! I had hoped to do an internship where I got some exposure to the disciplines, but hadn’t expected to be able to do so to the extent that I did. All summer I just got to read about research and different theories about biopolitics and necropolitics. I got to learn about an area of political philosophy I previously hadn’t.